Karnal, Aug. 8 -- Two men wanted in connection with the murder of a 28-year-old man, who was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne men on Hansi Road on Wednesday evening, were killed in an encounter with police in Karnal late Thursday night. The deceased were identified as Birbal alias Veer, a resident of Matarwa Khedi in Kaithal, and Harsh Kumar alias Harsu, a resident of Kala Majra village in Karnal. According to police, the two accused opened fire at a police team when they were intercepted near Gagsina village on Munak Road and the Ghogripur canal bridge. The police retaliated in self-defence, with around 25 rounds being fired from both sides, officials said. Both accused sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the district civil hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. Dr Mithilesh Yadav, SMO in-charge of the trauma centre at the district civil hospital, said, "Two people with firearm injuries were brought to our hospital by police from Ghogripur. We examined them, but there were no recordable vital signs. An ECG was performed, which showed a flat line, following which both were declared dead. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem." Karnal Range IG Ashok Kumar and SP Narender Bijrania, along with teams from the CIA and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), reached the encounter site. IG Kumar said police had constituted special teams, including those of the CIA, after Biru was shot dead on Hansi Road on Wednesday evening. "On the night of August 6, the police received information that both accused involved in the murder of Biru Valmiki were heading towards Karnal, armed with illegal weapons. Acting on this information, a joint team of CIA-1 and CIA-2 set up a blockade near Gagsina village on Munak Road and the Ghogripur canal bridge," Kumar said. According to the IG, the police team signalled the motorcycle-borne men to stop, but they attempted to flee. When pursued, they allegedly opened fire at the police personnel. Despite repeated warnings to surrender, the accused continued firing, following which the police returned fire, injuring both men, he said. Police said two illegal pistols, cartridges and empty casings were recovered from the spot. A case has been registered at Madhuban police station under the Arms Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Biru's murder had triggered protests by his family and members of the community, who refused to consent to his autopsy on Thursday. Protesters also blocked a major road, demanding the arrest of those responsible. Following the encounter, the family held a meeting with SDM Devender Sharma over their other demands and agreed to allow the autopsy before conducting Biru's last rites. The health department had not shared the post-mortem report or its details till the filing of this report....